Abstract

During the second IIASA Conference on Energy Resources, jointly organized with UNITAR, on "The Future Supply of Nature Made Petroleum and Gas" (1976), there was strong interest and lively discussion about unconventional gas resources, especially gas in geopressure zones.

The Resources Group keeps a close watch on all developments in world conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources. It seemed appropriate to organize a small workshop in 1979 to assess the progress being made on the subject of gas in geopressure zones. It was decided to restrict participation, at this stage, to the two National Member Organizations really engaged in research on this topic, namely the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.

Progress was reviewed, and the two delegations presented up-to-date information. This was followed by very active discussions. Most of the material presented is included in this Working Paper. There is also a summary of the discussions. Translations of the two main papers presented by the U.S.S.R. participants are given for information.

This Working Paper should be of interest, particularly in view of the fact that one outcome of the meeting was a common desire to devote the next IIASA Resources Conference to Natural Gas Resources in general, including a special session on gas in geopressure zones. This Working Paper should serve as a background paper for the 1980 Conference.